Abel van Winkoop

Abel van Winkoop, late of Weyburn, SK passed away at the Weyburn General Hospital on August 21, 2021 at the age of 89 years following an extended illness.

He leaves to mourn his wife of 68 years, Janna; his children: John (Beryl), Tony, Kelvin (Elly) and Linda (Mark); his grandchildren: Amy, Joel, Kyle, Anna and Kati, all of whom he loved very much.  Abel is also survived by two sisters and their spouses in The Netherlands; along with a large extended family of many cousins, nieces and nephews. 

Abel was born March 4, 1932 and raised on a farm in The Netherlands as the oldest of 6 children.  Abel and Janna were married in 1953 and immigrated to Canada shortly thereafter. They left behind parents and siblings to bravely start a new adventure and life together in Canada without money, a working knowledge of English, or any support system in place. 

Abel worked for Swertz Bros Construction for nearly 30 years building many prominent buildings including the McKenna Hall, the Weyburn Junior High and The Distillery. He then continued to work with his son John on construction projects up to his retirement in his early 70s.

Abel had a passion for the outdoors and loved camping, boating, hunting and fishing with his family and friends.  He loved to travel and spent many winters traveling the US with Janna in their motor home.  He volunteered with the Boy Scouts and the Grace United Church Board for many years.

A Funeral Service was held Friday, August 27, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. from Grace United Church, Weyburn, SK with Rev. M. Barnabas officiating. Pallbearers were: Joel van Winkoop, Kyle van Winkoop, Kevin Cooke, Ivan Olson, Ken Rogal and Will van Roon. Luncheon followed the service at Upper Grace Hall, Weyburn, SK. A Private Family Interment was held at Green Acres Memorial Gardens, Weyburn, SK.

In lieu of flowers, for family and friends so wishing, charitable donations in Abel’s memory may be made to the Grace United Church, 210 ~ 3rd Street, Weyburn, SK, S4H 0W6 (email transfers to: grace.weyburn@sasktel.net) or the Weyburn & District Hospital Foundation, Box 1416, Weyburn, SK, S4H 3J9 (email transfers to: info@wdhf.ca). 

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